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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: or better than the rest. Those who have been bitten by pride usually stand
upon the reputation for learning and wisdom. Vainglory is not nearly so
bad in a private person or even in an official as it is in a minister.
When the poison of vainglory gets into the Church you have no idea
what havoc it can cause. You may argue about knowledge, art, money,
countries, and the like without doing particular harm. But you cannot
quarrel about salvation or damnation, about eternal life and eternal death
without grave damage to the Church. No wonder Paul exhorts all ministers
of the Word to guard against this poison. He writes: "If we live in the
Spirit." Where the Spirit is, men gain new attitudes. Where formerly
they were vainglorious, spiteful and envious, they now become humble,
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